Improving Access to Home Oxygen Therapy and Medicare Patient Rights (SOAR Act)
This Act aims to improve access to supplemental oxygen therapy and related equipment for Medicare beneficiaries by excluding these services from the competitive bidding program. It introduces new, higher payment methods for suppliers, especially for liquid oxygen, to ensure better quality and continuity of supply. Furthermore, the Act establishes detailed patient rights, guaranteeing the right to choose a supplier, 24-hour support, and appropriate portable equipment, thereby increasing their safety and mobility.
Key points
Better Oxygen Access: Oxygen services and equipment will be excluded from the Medicare competitive bidding program (starting January 1, 2025), aiming to improve service availability and quality.
Higher Supplier Payments: New, increased payment rates for oxygen equipment suppliers are introduced, including special rates for liquid oxygen, to cover infrastructure and transportation costs.
Patient Rights Established: A list of rights for individuals receiving oxygen therapy is established, including the right to choose a local supplier, receive clear communication, 24-hour on-call coverage, and appropriate portable equipment.
Respiratory Therapist Support: Respiratory therapist services are added to the definition of Medicare medical services, and suppliers will receive an add-on payment adjustment for providing these services.
Simplified Documentation: Electronic templates will be adopted for documenting medical necessity, simplifying the process for prescribing practitioners and speeding up claim adjudication.
Expired
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